Public Libraries in Africa: A Report and Annotated Bibliography

During the 1990's much was written in the professional press about the state of and role for public libraries in Africa. The overall impression was one of declining budgets and failures in established public library services. In the midst of this overall trend, however, there were some notable achievements in alternative and innovative approaches to the provision of a public library service in Africa.

This book provides an analysis of these trends, based on literature reviews of publications and reports from selected countries in Africa.

Print copies are no longer available, but the full text is available for download: 

Public Libraries in Africa - Issak (Document 520Kb)

Contents

Section I: Public Libraries in Africa
By Aissa Issak

Section II: Annotated Bibliography, 1994-1999
Compiled by Aissa Issak, with Carol Priestley and Roger Stringer

Section III: Review of Some Books and Articles on Public Libraries in Africa, By Cheryll Stringer

Section IV: Country Reports

  • BOTSWANA: Public Libraries in Africa: The Case of Botswana: A Brief Summary of the Issues, by Ntlamelang Baratedi
  • GHANA: Public Libraries in Ghana, by Anaba Alemna
  • KENYA: A Brief Summary of the Position of Public Libraries in Kenya, by Wacango Kimani
  • MALAWI: The Malawi National Library Service, by G. W. P. Kishindo
  • NIGERIA: Revitalization of Public Libraries in Nigeria, by Gboyega Banjo
  • SOUTH AFRICA: Public Libraries and Community Information Services in South Africa: A Brief Summary of the Issues, by Val and Tony Hooper
  • TANZANIA: Public Libraries in Tanzania, by Theophilus E. Mlaki
  • UGANDA: The Present Position of Public Libraries in Uganda, by Goretti Kyomuhendo
  • ZAMBIA: Public Library Services in Zambia, by Elizabeth Msadabwe
  • ZIMBABWE: The Present Position of Public Library Services in Zimbabwe, by Elizabeth Chisveto

©INASP, 2000, See our Terms of Use